XX

(Image taken from http://www.gamerzines.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/AC3L2.jpg)

While cracking a recent game informer, I happened upon a article about the newest addition to the Assassin's Creed franchise.  I assumed that it was about the newest game the Ubisoft is stuffing down the public's throat.  Do not get me wrong, I love the idea of Assassin's Creed and welcome it as it has become one of the better franchises over the years.  I was confused why their was a female being featured, instead of the hooded hero that the games usually cover.  I was also surprised as to how clothed this female was, due to the overly dominate male games.  That being said, DAMN!

My interest was peaked, and I gave into reading the article about the game.  I was a little upset to find out that this game was to be on the PS Vita instead of some DLC being made available to gamers.  This brings  up this issues with female protagonists in video games.  While I am a huge supporter of equality in the gender of video games, it is a boys club when it comes to the games that we love.  Women are often the problems that players need to fix (Zelda, Peach, etc.).  So rather than the badassery of females showing through (such as Heavenly Sword).

The dress of women is also an issue I find. While women's designers seem to hate women (clothes being to tight, to small, to big, or endangering their joints), it is rare to see a fully clothed women in video games today, unless they are some sort of royalty.  Tomb Raider seems to be the whipping boy of this, as even though Lara Croft is a bad ass in her own right, she still needs to have cleavage in order to function in the world of video games.

I am to understand that their has been not only an influx of women gamers, but also women in the industry.  And while changes seem to be slow, their does seem to be a small move in the right direction towards the equality between the two genders.  

While the argument for idealization of body image through video games can be made, it is not and excuse for the blatant whoring out of the female body.  So to you Ubisoft, I tip my imaginary hat for taking a step in the right direction, in portraying a theoretical strong female protagonist (only because the game is yet to be released), and also a middle finger for not featuring her the main story ling (however, I will applaud you for actually using a Native American, but call you an idiot for relying on some stereotypes).

-TE